Category: One Piece

Big Mom Pirates vs Germa 66

The Big Mom Pirates are seemingly no match for the Germa 66, particularly Sanji’s siblings. They marvel at the enhanced “bodies” of Germa 66, Oven asks what happened to Nusstorte, the 12th son of the Charlotte Family. Ichiji revealed that he was “thrown into the sea,” along with the “cloud of fleas” that tried to swam them. He dismisses that attempt as being ridiculous due to the “superior technology” of the Germa 66. Mont-d’Or desperately calls his brother after learning of his defeat. Niwatori blames Pekoms for this because of his betrayal, Nusstorte is shown floating in the sea.

Sanji and Luffy

While the Strawhat’s continue to try to escape they are contacted by Sanji. He tells Jinbe that they should “pass by the harbor” and he will be there with Luffy. On the Island, Sanji easily defeats many of the Big Mom Pirates as he escapes with Luffy. Brulee tells them ” not to permit the Straw Hats’ escape,” she reveals to the Big Mom Pirates that Luffy actually defeated Katakuri. This news ruins the image that Katakuri as being “unbeatable.” Oven becomes enraged and he attacks Luffy and Sanji but Ichiji counters with Sparking Valkyrie. Charlotte Yuen tries to attack Sanji but Yonji crushes Yuen’s staff.

Sanji and Luffy “escape”

Sanji begins to escape through the air, several snipers shoot at him. Niji flies and grabs Sanji as the explosion from a missile go off. He travels with Sanji at high speeds, while attacking several Big Mom Pirates with his Tachyon Blade: Henry Blazer attack. Niji throws Sanji and Luffy at the Thousand Sunny, as they fly over Cacao Island, Oven contacts Snack, Brownie and Joconde to deal with them. However, Reiju has already taken them out with her poison. Smoothie’s fleet is being pinned down the Germa. Carrot notices Sanji flying towards them. I predicted that Germa 66 will come and save the Strawhat’s, it was just impossible for them to save themselves. However, I am weary of this potential happy ending. I think someone important will die and it will likely be Sanji. That said Sanji’s father wasn’t anywhere in this chapter, so he could risk his life and save Sanji, finally showing that he cares for his son.

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This chapter was just an all out brawl between Luffy and Katakuri. Luffy reveals his new form, “Snakeman.” At this point in the series Luffy has three forms of Gear Fourth, Bounceman, Tankman and now Snakeman. All forms share a similar appearance, featuring arm and legs coated in Busoshoku Haki, while emitting steam. With Bounceman Luffy becomes larger as his muscles increase, however, he can’t stand on the ground and bounces continuously.

While in his “Tankman: Stuffed Version” form, Luffy appears similar to a sumo wrestler, his torso becomes infused with Busoshoku Haki, rounded and large. Luffy’s durability is increased dramatically. The compression based offensive ability of Bounceman is amplified. Snakeman doesn’t see Luffy physically get larger, except his forearms and legs get a little larger with Buso. Haki. His knuckles becomes similar to that of a leopards fist.

Luffy gains the ability to use “Python” that was first introduced in his battle with Doflamingo. Python allows Luffy to change the direction of his attacks, Luffy attacks also move faster the longer they last and gives him the freedom to attack any area of his opponent. Snakeman permits Luffy to jump up high, but his defense is worst that his Tankman and Bounceman forms. Katakuri is at first confused by Luffy’s attack as he’s unable understand how he’s being it after dodging.

However, he quickly learns why. This doesn’t matter as Luffy’s attack continues to increase it’s speed until contact. Luffy hit’s Katakuri with his Jet Culverin. Despite blocking it, Katakuri is knocked into the wall. He counters with his Sliced Mochi: Slayer, it’s a sticky attack due to the Mochi. He slams Luffy through the floor of the Mirro-world. He recovers and he and Katakuri go toe to toe, exchanging powerful blows. Luffy uses his Black Mamba attack, that uses a series of punches in all directions at high speeds. Katakuri manages to dodge and counter with another Sliced Mochi: Slayer, but Luffy decides to “end it,” with his King Cobra attack.

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We get a flashback of the training session between Luffy and Rayleigh, who tells Luffy that “every enemy attack has an intent and motive.” Luffy is distracted by the aroma from Rayleigh’s food. He manages to pinpoint the foods location and hits the pot. Rayleigh attacks Luffy for doing so, he says that he can sense “emotions like anger,” and Rayleigh repeatedly strikes Luffy so he can learn how to use “Kenbunshoku Haki.” Rayleigh continues to teach Luffy how to use Kenbunshoku and how “it can be used to sense other people’s movement as well as to see glimpses into the future.” Luffy asks about the “personality” of the opponent, Rayleigh states that he never “considered that aspect.”

Back in the present, Luffy is able to read Katakuri’s attack patterns and dodge them. Luffy attacks Katakuri, but Katakuri is able to hit Luffy. They continue to land blows on each other, with Luffy getting bested at first, however, he is able to land a hit on Katakuri. Meanwhile, Capone Bege is certain that the Big Mom Pirates will not be able attack them. They begin to approach Liqueur Island, he praises his crew for restoring the “burnt paddles,” Vito notes that due to Prometheus large size it has become “sluggish.” Bege suggest that they should drop off the cake on Liqueur Island, but Chiffon states that ” if dropped at Liqueur Island, Big Mom will still have enough time to catch up with Nami and the Straw Hats.”

On the Thousand Sunny, Nami and Brook tell Jinbe the location of the incoming attacks from Smoothie. Jinbe tells Nami that “he trusts in her navigational skills,” meanwhile, Smoothie continues to get larger in size. Citron and Cinnamon beg her to stop growing, at risk of damaging the ship. She is pissed that Jinbe has been able to avoid her attacks so far. Sanji and Pudding head toward Cacao Island on Rabiyan, on Cacao Island many of the Charlotte siblings arrive to face-off against the Strawhat’s. Finally, we return to Luffy and Katakuri’s fight as Luffy activates a new form, Gear Fourth Snakeman.

I’m not a big fan of Luffy’s Gear fourth design, but I enjoy it’s fighting effect. That leaves me concern with the potential design of “Snakeman,” but expect it to be epic. We are introduce to several more of Big Mom’s children, Former Sweet Commander Snack, the 25th son, with a bounty of 600,000,000 Beli, Brownie, the 32nd son, Raisin, the 33rd son, Yuen, the 35th son, Joconde, the 27th daughter and the “Charlotte Decuplets: 36-40th sons; 30-34th daughters”. I still hold the belief that the Germa Kingdom will return to rescue the Strawhat’s from the Big Mom’s pirates. The arc is reaching it’s climax, only one hour until they rendezvous.

This chapter opens with Luffy grimacing in pain, Katakuri seems annoyed that Luffy isn’t maintaining his fighting level. He attacks Luffy with Mochi Sing Pouch, pummeling him into the ground. Luffy eye swells shut, Katakuri says that he was disappointed by Luffy’s effort. While down, Luffy remembers his training with Rayleigh. Luffy gets up on wobbly legs, a hiding Flampe shoots a “numbing needle,” at him but he dodges.

Flampe becomes excited and exposes herself as she mocks and laughs at Luffy. Dogtooth realizes that Flampe has been interfering in his battle with Luffy and she’s the reason that Katakuri was able to give Luffy a “fatal blow.” Luffy gets up a second time, While Flampe runs to hug him. Katakuri stabs himself to make thing even with Luffy. He then rips of his scarf to reveal that his name “Dogtooth” is appropriate.

His mouth feature sharp fang like teeth, Flampe calls him “lame,” “gross,” and a “monster.” She spits in his face, compares him to a “gulper eel,” while her subordinates laugh at him. She orders them to take pictures of Dogtooth so she could show everyone. He return’s to Luffy, apologies and together they use their Haoshoku Haki to knock out the “annoying,” Flampe and her subordinates to faint. Luffy and Katakuri prepare to conclude their battle. The relationships between Big Mom’s many children seem to appear to be completely shallow. They turn on eat other so quickly and have seemingly teased each other from childhood. It begs the question, are Big Mom’s children naturally this evil or are they raised to be that way?

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Big Mom’s Barrage

Bavarois and Perospero remark how Big Mom never “was never this hungry.” The newly slimmed Big Mom begins her search for the wedding cake, she rips off the upper deck of the Sunny. Jinbe tells her that she has the wrong place, Big Mom, however doesn’t believe her son would lie to her. She says otherwise “she’ll have to kill her eldest son.” Perospero is shocked that she remembers what he told her.

Jinbe vs Big Mom

Can Jinbe handle Big Mom, short answer, kinda. Big Mom swings her now inflamed sword Napoleon at him, but Jinbe blocks with Kairagi, shielding himself with Busoshoku Haki-imbued arms. He manages to temporarily stop he strike, but ends up being knocked into the sea.

Big Mom gives chase

The Strawhat’s cheer the “defeat” of Big Mom, but she is quickly rescued by Zeus. Big Mom decides that she’ll split the ship in half revealing the cake. Nami attempts to temped Zeus with her thunderclouds, but Zeus claims that he will not be tempted again. Zeus attacks what we assume to be Nami, however, it turns out to be Brooke that is completely unaffected due to being bone.

Brooke takes aim at Big Mom, whom reminds him that he couldn’t “scratch her,” the last time they fought. He uses Three Verse humming: Soul, splitting Zeus in half, Nami then uses her thunderclouds to trigger an electric charge from Zeus. This results in Zeus shocking Big Mom, giving the Strawhat’s and chance to escape.

The official final One Piece chapter of the 2017 was an epic one. Wall to wall battle, seeing the Strawhat’s face off against a Yonko. While, Big Mom is far from defeated she has been challenged by them. I still hold out hope that Nami gains some more power from this arc, maybe the new little Zeus she plans on “enslaving,” will help. Jinbe continues to shine as the newest member of the Strawhat’s and holds Big Mom back. Big Mom continues to give chase, but something tells me that she won catch them before Sanji and the others meet them.

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Carrots Rampage

Carrot continues her rampage, as Daifuku uses his genie to attack her. However, his genie seems to only manage to help her out as it destory’s many of the ships attempting to hit Carrot. The Strawhat’s are impressed with her new found abilities. Jinbe informs them that the Sulong form: “Initially, it caused the minks to lose their minds and attack indiscriminately, and they would die within one night from exhaustion.” Brooke helps Carrot, using his speed to run across the ocean’s surface.

Big Mom’s illness?

Bavarois notices that Big Mom is acting strangely, she loses weight and he breath becomes heavy. She calls for Prometheus and Zeus, whom are fighting over why they are late, ” Zeus blames the long journey ahead on Prometheus wanting to eat fire. Enraging Prometheus, who points out how Zeus went against Big Mom when he let Nami use him. ” Perospero notes that Big Mom hasn’t eaten in eight hours, which is the longest she’s gone without food. He’s told that Pudding is bring the wedding cake to Big Mom, to which Perospero states that “it’s probably sabotaged.”

A cook’s pride on the line

Bege smartly suggests that they should poison the cake, confirming Perospero’s suspicions. However, Sanji is adamantly opposed to doing so. He claims that ” that the taste alone will defeat Big Mom,” Bege doesn’t buy this. Sanji gives him some of the whipped cream from cake, Bege is overwhelmed by the taste and agrees that the cake is to died for. Sanji states that Bege can kill Big Mom after. Diafuku’s ships are destroyed and Carrot continues to attack even though she falling unconscious. Brooke puts the other ships to sleep and rescues Carrot. She reverts her eyes from the moon so she will return to normal.

Big Mom on the Sunny

Big Mom prepares to attack the strawhat’s, she calls on Napoleon to turn into it’s sword form. She leaps onto Zeus, with Prometheus in her hair. She lands on the Sunny demanding her wedding cake, Jinbe warns the Strawhat’s that they may need to abandon ship. This was a good exciting chapter, that increased the danger that Strawhat’s are in. Big Mom getting skinnier as she becomes more powerful and agile. Big Mom is a beast, I don’t think they can hold out much longer. Oda ends the year with another cliffhanger.

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Gear Four Luffy vs Katakuri

Luffy strikes Katakuri with several attacks, sending him flying. He questions the assumption that Katakuri was “invisible.” He states that because “since Busoshoku Haki makes Logia types take form and it simply passed through Katakuri,” he was able to deduce that Katakuri wasn’t a Logia user. Luffy realizes that “that Katakuri’s most notable trait is not his control over his Mochi Mochi no Mi abilities, but his Kenbunshoku Haki.” Katakuri is impressed that Luffy was able to determine this and that he was able to hit him.

Katakuri responds by trapping Luffy in Mochi with his “Peerless Donuts,” technique. He then strikes Luffy with a devastating blow from his “Strength Mochi” attack, knocking him through several walls. Meanwhile, at Cacao Island, Pound arrives to see his daughter Chiffon. Brulee informs Pudding when the Strawhat’s will be arriving at 1 am and Luffy will not be there because he won’t defeat Katakuri. Oven arrives and notices Pound making a ruckus outside. Pudding warns Sanji that Katakuri probably won’t lose because he’s never lost to anyone. Sanji says he will “will suffer his first loss.”

The thousand Sunny continues to head towards Cacao Island, Nami is curious that no ones following them. Jinbei agrees and wonders what happened to the Sun Pirates. Mont-d’Or is informed that Big Mom is currently destroying Nut Island and the territorial sea slugs have disappeared. It is revealed that Praline is responsible for the disappearance, she’s been singing to them preventing them from doing what their suppose to do. It seems that Luffy is still in at an disadvantage when it comes to Katakuri. With Gear Four being his current highest level it seems that he will have to figure out something new. Sanji unbridled confidence in Luffy is unsurprising but refreshing to see. Overall, this chapter doesn’t advance the story that much.

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Brulee reveals the Strawhat’s plans

Brulee taunts Luffy from her mirror, telling him that of all Big Mom’s children, Katakuri is the most exception. She elaborates on his fighting ability, stating that Katakuri’s “reputation for never having laid down once in his life.” Annoyed, Luffy attempts to attack her but is blocked by Katakuri. He tosses Luffy into a wall of mirrors and tries to attack him with Mogura. He threatens to “tear Luffy apart piece by piece.” Brulee informs Perospero that the Strawhat’s survived the attack from Big Mom and that the Strawhat’s are meeting at Cacao Island, however, Big Mom is distracted and heads toward Nuts Island.

Luffy vs Katakuri

Luffy realizes that the fight with Katakuri is more tiring than normal, this is due to the fact that dodging Katakuri’s attacks are taxing. Katakuri notices that Luffy dodges his attacks more successfully than anyone else. He then activates his “awakened Devil Fruit powers,” turning the ground into mochi. Luffy begins to activate his fourth Gear, intriguing Katakuri.

The Fire Tank Pirates and Germa 66 survive

The Big Mom pirates have lost sight of the Strawhat’s and Fire Tank pirates. Mont-d’Or is informed that the Germa 66 “have been crushed,” however, it’s Niji pretending to be Charlotte Nusstorte. She asks about the Strawhat’s location and is informed that they’re “are still not captured and heading west.” Ichiji orders Germa 66 to “set sail.” I think Luffy will be overwhelmed by Katakuri regardless of the use of Fourth Gear. Despite their power, the Big Mom pirates are slowly losing ground and their apparent arrogance is only going to make them more likely to fail. Once again Big Mom’s irrational love of food has derailed her, providing the Strawhat’s with some relief. The Fire Tank pirates, Germa 66 and Strawhat’s together should put up a good fight against Big Mom.

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Master helmsmen Jinbe

It wasn’t always clear to me what Jinbe’s official role would be on the Strawhat’s crew was, but he will be the helmsmen. The Strawhat’s never had an official helmsmen, with Nami, Usopp and Chopper all taking the role. A helmsmen is the person that steers the ship. Jinbe is unsurprisingly capable in this regard being a fishman with experience on the seas. Jinbe has been shown in the anime as being able to steer a ship out of the way of cannon fire. In this chapter, Jinbe manages to use these skills to save the Strawhat’s from death. He use the “green room,” which is described as “a short lived pocket made inside the crest of a wave.”

Luffy in the Mirror-World

Luffy’s is notified by Nami that they have survived and smashed all the mirrors. Communicating through a mirror shard, Nami informs him that they will be meeting Sanji at Cacao Island in about ten hours. Katakuri attacks Luffy, who swallows the shard of glass. He informs Nami that they need to hurry, Katakuri reveals a trident made of mochi. He mocks Luffy suggesting that he knows what his last words are going to be. Luffy responds with those words, saying “he will not die here.” The real question regarding this part of the arc is what is Luffy going to do that can defeat Katakuri. It is the tendency of many shonen manga that the main character will ALWAYS find the strength to win. However, One piece at least occasionally allows Luffy and others to be defeated. It seems implausible that Luffy will “win” this fight, but he will likely escape somehow.

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The Substitute Wedding Cake

Sanji, Pudding, and Chiffon arrive at Chocolat Town on Cacao Island and begin the preparation for the wedding cake. The top 31 chef’s of Whole Cake Island are present and Pudding extracts a roll of memory from head chef Buche, erasing the memories, ” of the wedding incident and led them to believe that the two of them got married smoothly; the reason that the cake was destroyed was because of bad weather.”

Meanwhile, Sanji sketched the new wedding cake, to the surprise of the head chef’s. They are impressed by Sanji’s ability to craft the “perfect” cake. I think that considering the likely inability of Strawhat’s defeating the Big Mom pirates, the new cake will be the peace maker. Big Mom is so irrational regarding cake that this substitute cake will not only stop her, but will probably love Sanji and by extension the Strawhats, letting them go.

The Strawhat’s are in deep trouble

In the Mirro-World, Katakuri is surprised that Perospero is still alive. Perospero then mocks Pedro’s sacrifice calling it “pointless.” Luffy is floored after being damaged by Katakuri, Brulee awakens as he tells her to send more troops to the Sunny to burn it down. Their sisters Mascarpone and Joscarpone have mirrors that lead to the Sunny, Luffy attempts to destroy those mirrors, but fails.

Katakuri continues to dominate Luffy with mochi leg, Luffy manages to dodge. He grabs some shards of a broken mirror calling out to Nami on the Sunny. He tells them to break the two mirrors that remain on the Sunny. However, Carrot points out to Nami that Big Mom has created a massive homie out of a wave. Seeing the wave Nami tells Luffy the they “might be done after all.” The Strawhat’s are in an impossible position, they’re outmatched and outsmarted. I don’t think that Luffy is capable of beating Katakuri. However, I’m certain that either, Jimbe will fight Big Mom buying them time or Brooke will use the Coup de Burst escaping immediate danger.